How to make your gel manicure last
A good gel manicure should stay glossy for two to three weeks. A few simple habits at home make all the difference, so here is how to keep your colour looking freshly done.
Why gel starts to lift
Gel polish is cured hard under a lamp, so it rarely chips in the middle. What usually happens is lifting at the very edge of the nail, where the seal gets broken. Hot water, harsh cleaning products and using your nails as handy little tools are the three biggest culprits. Once you understand where the weakness is, protecting your set becomes second nature.
Protect the seal
The free edge of the nail is where water likes to creep underneath. Popping on a pair of rubber gloves for washing up and cleaning keeps that seal intact and easily doubles the life of your colour. It is a small habit that makes a genuine difference.
Keep your cuticles nourished
A drop of cuticle oil morning and night keeps the nail flexible rather than brittle, and flexible nails move with the gel instead of cracking away from it. It also keeps the skin around your nails looking soft and healthy between appointments.
Be kind to your hands
We know it is tempting, but please do not use your nails to open tins, peel off labels or pick at things. Reach for a spoon or a tool instead. Most of the mid-month breakages we see come down to one accidental knock rather than the manicure itself.
Book your infill in good time
Both gel polish and BIAB look their best when they are refreshed on schedule. We recommend booking your infill every three to four weeks (BIAB infills are £37). Leaving it much longer puts extra strain on the grown-out edge, which is exactly where lifting begins.
If your set is ready for a refresh, we are in Moseley from Tuesday to Saturday. Book online whenever it suits you and we will have your nails looking freshly done again.
